Bridging Generations Through Service

Volunteers play a vital role in our Museum. Whether supporting behind-the-scenes work in science and collections or engaging directly with visitors on the floor and during events, volunteers bring the Museum to life for our community and are at the heart of everything we do. 

With 900 volunteers contributing to the Museum in 2023 alone, there is one volunteer duo that leaves a particularly special mark: Don Wagner, 84, and his adopted grandson, Murray, 10. While not related biologically, Don and Murray share a special bond — Don is a close friend of Murray’s parents, and Murray considers both Don and his wife, Linda, to be his grandparents. Don has been volunteering at the Museum since 2018, and Murray joined his grandfather to hold down the critical volunteer position at the Info Desk in 2022. 

Most Tuesday afternoons, this multigenerational team is stationed at the Info Desk near the saber-tooth cat, delighting guests with smiles, friendly greetings and even a stamp or two for the little ones. 

A history major in college, Don was always fascinated by the past. When he moved to Denver in 1978, he instantly fell in love with the Museum and its historical exhibitions. Before retiring from his job as an attorney with the federal government, Don knew that if he was going to volunteer somewhere, it had to be at a place where he truly enjoyed spending his time. Not only does Don volunteer for the Museum, but he plans to leave a lasting impact through his involvement in the Museum’s Edwin Carter Legacy Society. 

“I’m a pretty gregarious person. I like to talk to people when they come in. Spending time with the younger staff and volunteers gets me into a younger world,” said Don. “We try to give back to our community by making make small improvements, like keeping a jar full of pennies ready to feed the saber-tooth cat.” 

Meeting Murray, you’d be surprised to learn that he’s only 10 years old. Not only does he participate in a wide variety of sports, including ballet, tennis, water polo and skiing, but he’s already taking on a lot of responsibility with the Museum’s volunteer program. What is his favorite part of working at the Info Desk? The fact that he gets to spend time with his grandfather, Don.  

"Before I turned eight, I used to visit while [Don] was volunteering. But then I wanted to spend more time with him and so I started volunteering for the Museum. That's when I became the Museum’s youngest volunteer,” said Murray. 

Murray also speaks Spanish and often uses his skills to assist Spanish-speaking guests, helping to create an even more inclusive guests experience. He knows where to find nearly anything that guests are looking for, and he’ll regularly walk guests up to Discovery Zone or his favorite exhibition, Expedition Health. 

Don deeply values the time spent with his grandson every Tuesday afternoon and the opportunity it affords him to watch his grandson “grow bigger and get older.” With a laugh, he adds, “Murray also gets to see me do the same thing — except I’m getting shorter!” 

According to Jill Schladweiler, director of volunteer engagement at the Museum, Don and Murray’s story is a perfect illustration of the vital role volunteers play at the Museum. "We want people to see themselves here. Our volunteers reflect the diverse community we serve, and they’re essential to our mission of connecting people with science and nature," said Jill. 

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science isn’t just a place to explore exhibits — it’s a space where people of all ages come together to learn and grow and that’s especially true for our volunteers. Whether it’s teens working side-by-side with retirees at events or families volunteering as a team, the Museum fosters connections that span generations. 

"Don and Murray’s story is a perfect example of what makes our Museum such a special place," Jill shared. "It’s about people coming together to share their time and talents, building a stronger community in the process." 

Interested in volunteering for the Museum? The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is always looking for passionate individuals to join its volunteer team. Opportunities are available in a wide range of roles, and the program is open to anyone who is eight years-old and up. 

To learn more, visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science Volunteer page and take the first step toward making a difference. 

To learn more about the impact an estate gift can make to the mission of the Museum or to join the Edwin Carter Legacy Society, please contact Chelsea S. Eversmann at Chelsea.Eversmann@dmns.org.

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